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Wurlitzer: 700 or 720? Which should I play?

Started by 0Hz, March 21, 2011, 08:02:15 PM

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0Hz

I am very new to the world of Wurli ownership and I submit this question to those lucky enough to be better versed in such things. 

I recently acquired a beater model 700. The case is rough, but the action I think is playable.  I was planning on fixing it up a little bit and using it as a daily practice piano.  However, there has recently been posted to CL, a 720 that seems to be in decent shape, except for a non-functional amp. Should I go for the 720 instead? or just stick with the 700?  I know that the 720s tubes are a bit more expensive to replace but I hear that it also has a better mechanical action.  I have also heard that the 700 action is the "worst" and I was planning on rebuilding the 700 amp anyways. I'm so torn!  Any advice is appreciated.  (I would really like a 145, but I don't think I can afford that yet; so conflicted!!!)

pianotuner steveo

#1
The 720 action is identical to the 140/145 action,and most wurli enthusiasts agree that these were the best models for that reason.
I have a 700, but when I acquired a free 140B, I put that in the 700 case.

I personally would recommend keeping both because the sound and feel is so different.

The 720 has vibrato also.

1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

0Hz

Keeping both would be the best solution. I may have to keep them pushed together end-to-end to trick my girlfriend into thinking that they are just one funny looking piano! Thanks for the advice!

Rob A


pianotuner steveo

 Or put them back to back...

Just curious, which colors are these? The light or the dark finishes?
My 700 is dark, my sister's is light. The only 720's I have ever seen were dark.
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

pianotuner steveo

Also- why do you say that the 720 tubes are more expensive than the 700 tubes?
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

praga

Quote from: pianotuner steveo on March 24, 2011, 07:28:15 AM
Also- why do you say that the 720 tubes are more expensive than the 700 tubes?

Does the 720 use 7668 power tubes? They're harder to find (and pricier) than the 6V6 tubes used in the 700 amp.

pianotuner steveo

I don't remember. I sold the only 720 I ever had about 10 years ago.
I paid $40 for it....


1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

Tim Hodges

Quote from: pianotuner steveo on March 24, 2011, 08:15:38 PM
I sold the only 720 I ever had about 10 years ago.
I paid $40 for it....


You had to go and put that in there  ;)
Bristol Electric Piano
UK

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0Hz

They are both the dark finish luckily. Also, yeah, the power tubes in the 720 are 7868s while the 700 uses 6v6gts. I guess the price difference isn't huge, and you can still get newly manufactured 7868 tubes, but i hear that the pins are spaced a little wider and will loosen your sockets. I'll just have to start saving up!

pianotuner steveo

Yeah, but you don't wanna know what I sold it or....
Hehehe
;)
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

Fred

Steveo told me my 700 would fit in a '65 bug. I was skeptical... Steveo was RIGHT!


  ...A Suitcase 73 fits too ;)
Head Designer of the Vintage Vibe Tine Piano
Collector
Electric Piano Technician in New Haven, Ct.
(203) 824-1528

pianotuner steveo

Yes, It isn't easy, but it does fit. When I bought my 700, I had no other way to get it home other than my '68 beetle. It was tough to do the first time, but I got it down to a science after that. Of course, my back seat was just a piece of plywood with a cushion. That made it slightly easier than a regular back seat.

Unscrew the legs, fold the front seats forward, have a helper at one door, pulling it in, while you feed it in through the other door. The keyboard is UP. It JUST fits...

1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
1980 Wurlitzer 270 Butterfly Grand
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...